Transcript for Meet us - Professional Aspirations

We've spoken to industry, we've asked them what they want

and what they wanted were graduates who were able to hit the ground running

people who knew a lot of the skills before they walked in there, but were also capable of developing and maturing as they went through their career

so for instance we've got a module called make-up for special effects

and the person who delivers that has done work for tv, studios, tv companies, things like that.

We are getting Andy Smith who is the England Rugby Union doctor

This guy basically covers all the trauma care for rugby union

The students love it, it's 2 days, it's intense

and to have somebody of that calibre

wish to come and take his time with our students just shows that the course is getting a really good rating.

we've also had some of our students do so well on placements that they've been offered a job there

and then have already started working there and gone part-time while they study the 2 together

which means they've got the best of both, because they are earning while they study, which is better for the pennies.

A couple of days a week I spend with our Media, Writing and Production students

so last year we had links with a number of businesses, on a number of different productions

It's one thing actually being on the course and having a social life

but if you've got someone who can be the conduit with the industry professionals, then I think that's really important too.

We're encouraging any new partnerships, so we work with

graphic design companies, photographers, we've got an education partnership with the BBC

and we're working with a range of businesses across all business sectors.

We do seem to have a lot of guest lecturers in different areas and stuff like that

and a good chance of getting work experience places with companies relevant to your course

Without the University of Bolton I wouldn't have got these work experiences in the first place

and I've actually got some work coming up with Britain's Got Talent and X Factor, and stuff like that

So it's a really good way to get your foot in the door

and they definitely give you a push out into the big wide world

and give you the knowledge you need to progress further once you've left university.

I've come away and become a freelance artist by my own choice

but I've still got so many links here

and friends here

that I can come back any time and feel part of it

it was great to be able to come in to uni, talk to my ex-lecturers and say this is what I'm planning on doing

and them saying 'yeah, go ahead and do it, and it's going to be great'

and I've still got the support from them, and they are going to come and see the show.

I certainly didn't need a degree to do the job that I did

but it has helped me

and it's opened lots and lots of doors that would never have been opened if I hadn't had studied

I've been to Florence, I've been to Barcelona,

I've been to Amsterdam

I was the Ambassador for Bolton University at Athens

which I exhibited in

so it's like all these opportunities have been absolutely amazing

and my CV now is sort of like a roll of wallpaper.

The actual degree and the contents will prepare you for what's to come in industry

so it's a good place to build foundations

I'm so pleased I did it, and to the university I'll always be grateful for that

that they gave me that chance, because it was never on my radar.

It's been an absolutely tremendous journey

one that I absolutely cherish and I love and I feel like part of a family here

I absolutely love it, and I can't wait to start my Master's.

University of Bolton